studiobeerhorst is making connections

Beerhorst Family @ UICA This Weekend

Tree of Life Series #3

My relationship with UICA began 30 years ago when I took a studio in the basement in 1982. We called it Race Street Gallery back then, and I had just graduated from Calvin college with plans to move to NYC in the following year. It felt like a much different place back then with some of the best local artists working out of the studios downstairs and four large artist in residence studios upstairs. There were always a cool show openings going on with gallons of inexpensive wine, and the ever-present bag of corn chips with salsa. Hollis Sigler, Nicolas Africano, Sue Coe to name of few of the very cool artist who I was able to share my work with at UICA back in those early days.

UICA grew up and then it grew up some more. It is a lot more than just a big fancy new space. I really believe that Grand Rapids is reaching a sort of unprecedented cultural boiling point right now and that UICA could have a very important role in keeping the heat turned up under our kettle.

Come down to the UICA Holliday Show 2012 this Friday and Saturday see what the Beerhorst Family has been making in their studios and share in a very unique seasonal event. This is an opprotunity to purchase local art from a great collection of local artists and crafters. When you support the local artists you are taking an active role in the ongoing transformation of our city -- into what is has always been destined to be; a city that celebrates its eccentrics -- walkable, with a strong connection to its past and yet constantly evolving and renewing itself to position itself for the breaking present.